View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book 2.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What natural phenomenon affects the war at the same time as a failed peace envoy to Sparta?
(a) An earthquake brings down much of Athens' walls.
(b) The plague appears in Lesbos, then Athens, and then Potidaea.
(c) Cyclones sweep across the eastern side of Greece.
(d) A tsunami causes widespread destruction in the Peloponnesian isthmus.

2. What is the stated purpose of Book One of Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War?
(a) To establish background and attempt to examine the causes of the war.
(b) To discuss the daily life of people in Sparta and Athens.
(c) To show the importance of Corinth in the Peloponnesian War.
(d) To establish the credentials of Thucydides as a historian.

3. Where is the initial confrontation between Sparta and the Athenians?
(a) The Athenians send an advance force into the Peloponnesian isthmus.
(b) A huge Peloponnesian army is assembled at the isthmus leading to Attica which is then invaded
(c) Sparta utilizes Persian ships to attack from the Aegean Sea.
(d) Spartan commandos infiltrate Athenian camps.

4. What advantage does Athens have while Sparta occupies Attica?
(a) They are able to withstand a long seige.
(b) They are able to go around the Spartan forces and snipe at the rear flanks.
(c) Sparta cannot get its troops across the rugged terrain.
(d) Athens has the resources to buy off the Spartan forces.

5. How does Corinth enter the war?
(a) As opportunists hoping to divide and conquer
(b) As part of their alliance with Thebes
(c) Under seige from the spartans
(d) Independently and not yet allied with Sparta

Short Answer Questions

1. After the war begins, what diplomatic success does Athens have?

2. Why is Book One considered difficult to read?

3. Where is the fourth major area where much of the early activity takes place?

4. How is Athens insulted by Megara and Euboea about the same time as the Boeotian revolution?

5. Book One concludes in the winter before hostilities erupt. What date is given by modern scholars for this time?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 429 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample